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McCain to visit Colombia next month

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MEXICO CITY — Appearing before Mexico's drug-fighting Federal Police, Arizona Sen. John McCain promised Thursday that as president he would quickly implement a U.S. aid package to give the officers more helicopters, technology and training.

McCain, visiting the federal force's new command center as he concluded a three-day trip to Colombia and Mexico, paid his respects to the hundreds of officers who have died in the drug fight since President Felipe Calderon took office 19 months ago. Those deaths, McCain said, "will not be in vain."

"I want to thank President Calderon and the people of Mexico for their efforts in making our relations better," said McCain, who struggled to make himself heard as pounding rain thundered off the metal roof of the helicopter hangar where he spoke.

He expressed support for the Merida Initiative, the $1.4 billion anti-crime aid package passed by the U.S. Congress last week.

"I look forward to implementing the Merida Initiative, and to work together to stem the flow of drugs from Colombia through Mexico and into the United States of America." he said.

McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, and Calderon held a private meeting earlier in the day.

McCain's support for comprehensive immigration reform has made him popular among ruling party officials here, along with his support for the North American Free Trade Agreement.

McCain's Democratic rival, Sen. Barack Obama, has called for a renegotiation of the treaty.

On immigration, McCain said that he supported a temporary guest-worker program as a "short-term" solution but only through the use of high-tech documents to prevent forgery.

But he also reiterated his stance that the U.S.-Mexico border must be controlled before comprehensive immigration reform can be considered.

On his final day of the tour, the GOP nominee-in-waiting downplayed his campaign personnel shift.

McCain said a shake-up in the leadership of his campaign was part of a "natural evolution" as the organization becomes more national in scope.

McCain's campaign announced Wednesday that top adviser Steve Schmidt would assume a broad portfolio of duties, with nearly full control over message and strategy.

Schmidt will report to Rick Davis, who will keep the title of campaign manager but focus on such longer-term matters as the Republican National Convention and McCain's choice of a running mate.

"Our campaign continues to grow, and the responsibilities are expanding and Mr. Schmidt is taking over some increased responsibilities," McCain said.

"Rick Davis remains the campaign chairman, campaign manager. "It's a natural evolution as we become more and more of a national campaign with increased staff and increased responsibilities."

Schmidt disclosed in a memo Thursday to the 11 regional campaign managers that he will hire a national political director and a national field director to operate from the campaign's northern Virginia headquarters to improve regional operations and coordination.

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On StarNet: Find links to every story the Star has run this election season at azstarnet.com/politics